Kartika Maasa is the holiest month for Hindus as it is favorite month for Lord Shiva and Vishnu. It is the 8th month in Kannada Panchang. In 2018, Karthika Maasa begins on 8 November and ends on 7 December as per the Hindu traditional calendars followed in Karnataka.
Many major festivals are celebrated during the month of Karthik. Karthika Somavara vrata is an auspicious vratha dedicated Lord Shiva.
In some places, Kartik month is dedicated to Lord Kartikeya, son of Lord Shiva. Lord Kartik is also called as Skanda, Subramanya or Shanmukha. During this month, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and Lord Kartik are worshipped. Many important and major festivals are celebrated during the Kartik month.
Karthika Snana (Karthika Nadhi Snana, Samudra Snana), Karthika Maasa Vratha, Nakta Vratha, Kartika Deepadaana Vratha, Lakshavarthi Vrata, Akashadeepa Vratha, etc. are widely observed by Kannada people.
Govardhana Puja, Bhagini Hastha Bhojana, Nagara Chaturthi, Surya Shashti Puja, Kartika Ekadashi, Ksheerabdhi Dwadashi (Tulsi Habba), Vaikunta Chaturdashi, Bhishma Panchaka Vratha, Kartik Purnima, and Kartika Somavara (Karthika Somavara Vratha – Mondays in Kartika Masa) are the major festivals and auspicious days in Kartika Masa.
Shukla Paksha in Karthika masa begins on 8 November and ends on 23 November.
Krishna Paksha in Kartika Masa beigns on 24 November and ends on 7 December.
Important festivals and auspicious days in Kartik Month 2018 as per Kannada Calendars
Thursday, 8 November 2018 – Govardhan Puja (Gujarati New Year)
Friday, 9 November 2018 – Bhatru Dwitiya
Saturday, 10 November 2018 – Sodari Tritiya
Tuesday, 13 November 2018 – Surya Shashti Puja
Friday, 16 November 2018 – Vrischika Sankranti
Sunday, 18 November 2018 – Kansa Vadha
Monday, 19 November 2018 – Devutthana Ekadashi (Utthana Ekadashi)
Tuesday, 20 November 2018 – Tulasi Vivaha (Tulasi Kalyana, Radha Damodara Kalyanotsava, Tulsi Habba)
Friday, 23 November 2018 – Kartik Purnima
Thursday, 29 November 2018 – Kalabhairava Jayanti (Maha Kalbhairav Ashtami)
Monday, 3 December 2018 – Utpanna Ekadashi
7 December 2018 – Karthika Amavasya
